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Real assets: relative stability in increasingly volatile markets

In our latest real assets update, we check recent trends in UK property and infrastructure equity in a period of Brexit-related uncertainty.

3 minute read

In liquid markets, volatility is up from its recent ultra-low base. The return of global inflation and prospect of tighter monetary policy across the world, trade tensions, Brexit unknowns and concerns about corporate earnings have all played a part.

Real estate tends to display relatively low volatility compared with liquid assets (highlighted in Figure 1 below.) Although the unexpected outcome of the Brexit vote in 2016 caused a volatility spike, it has now fallen back to the longer-term trend. We expect the return of volatility to impact real estate and other real assets, but with a lag.

Meanwhile, the search for yield continues to drive activity. Demand for prime assets has forced yields to record lows in most office and logistics markets, and the premium for investing in secondary assets or peripheral locations has been shrinking as well. Trends in the retail sector differ somewhat, with investors increasingly acting with caution as structural challenges become more apparent.

Investors positioning for the next stage of the cycle should look to limit exposure to riskier forms of real estate and focus on core product with defensive qualities.

In volatile times, we see strong interest in infrastructure, as the provision of essential services continues to be relatively decorrelated from economic fluctuations. Assets with scope for income growth and/or inflation protection are of particular interest in a rising rates environment.

There has been record fundraising in European-focused infrastructure of $32.2 billion in the year-to-date, according to Preqin. Renewables and higher yielding sectors such as full fibre broadband have been hotspots of activity. Interest in the latter has been driven by the digital agenda across Europe, including the UK government’s objective to connect 15 million households by 2025.

Against this backdrop, infra has shown lower volatility than public equity comparators, as highlighted in Figure 1. That includes broad market indices like the FTSE 100, as well as the dividend paying stocks represented in the FTSE Equity Income Index that are often followed for their more defensive characteristics.

Nevertheless, it is important to note the idiosyncratic nature of infrastructure investments, and the nature of risk. For example, the UK government recently decided to phase out subsidies for small-scale solar by 2019, changing the revenue dynamics. In Europe, the trajectory of the renewables market is also shifting towards a subsidy-free environment.

1 Additional yield above comparable government bonds **High quality: unlevered infrastructure with largely predictable cash flow. Source: Aviva Investors (for illustrative purposes only). All data as at 30 September 2018. The future returns and opinions expressed are based on Aviva Investors internal forecasts and should not be relied upon as indicating any guarantee of return from an investment managed by Aviva Investors nor as advice of any nature.

Author

Risks

Illiquidity

Alternative Income assets are significantly less liquid than assets traded on public markets. Where funds are invested in infrastructure/real estate, investors may not be able to switch or cash in an investment when they want because infrastructure may not always be readily saleable. If this is the case, we may defer a request to redeem the investment.

Valuation

Investors should bear in mind that the valuation of real estate/infrastructure is generally a matter of valuers’ opinion rather than fact. The value of an investment and any income from it may go down as well as up and the investor may not get back the original amount invested. Past performance is not a guide to future returns.The value of an investment and any income from it may go down as well as up and the investor may not get back the original amount invested. Past performance is not a guide to future returns.

Important information

Except where stated as otherwise, the source of all information is Aviva Investors Global Services Limited (Aviva Investors) as at 21 November 2018. Unless stated otherwise any views and opinions are those of Aviva Investors. They should not be viewed as indicating any guarantee of return from an investment managed by Aviva Investors nor as advice of any nature. Information contained herein has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, but has not been independently verified by Aviva Investors and is not guaranteed to be accurate. Past performance is not a guide to the future. The value of an investment and any income from it may go down as well as up and the investor may not get back the original amount invested. Nothing in this document, including any references to specific securities, assets classes and financial markets is intended to or should be construed as advice or recommendations of any nature. This document is not a recommendation to sell or purchase any investment.

In the UK & Europe this document has been prepared and issued by Aviva Investors Global Services Limited, registered in England No.1151805. Registered Office: St. Helen’s, 1 Undershaft, London, EC3P 3DQ. Authorised and regulated in the UK by the Financial Conduct Authority. Contact us at Aviva Investors Global Services Limited, St. Helen’s, 1 Undershaft, London, EC3P 3DQ. Telephone calls to Aviva Investors may be recorded for training or monitoring purposes. In Singapore, this document is being circulated by way of an arrangement with Aviva Investors Asia Pte. Limited for distribution to institutional investors only. Please note that Aviva Investors Asia Pte. Limited does not provide any independent research or analysis in the substance or preparation of this document. Recipients of this document are to contact Aviva Investors Asia Pte. Limited in respect of any matters arising from, or in connection with, this document. Aviva Investors Asia Pte. Limited, a company incorporated under the laws of Singapore with registration number200813519W, holds a valid Capital Markets Services Licence to carry out fund management activities issued under the Securities and Futures Act (Singapore Statute Cap. 289) and Asian Exempt Financial Adviser for the purposes of the Financial Advisers Act (Singapore Statute Cap.110). Registered Office: 1Raffles Quay, #27-13 South Tower, Singapore 048583.In Australia, this document is being circulated by way of an arrangement with Aviva Investors Pacific Pty Ltd for distribution to wholesale investors only. Please note that Aviva Investors Pacific Pty Ltd does not provide any independent research or analysis in the substance or preparation of this document. Recipients of this document are to contact Aviva Investors Pacific Pty Ltd in respect of any matters arising from, or in connection with, this document. Aviva Investors Pacific Pty Ltd, a company incorporated under the laws of Australia with Australian Business No. 87 153 200 278 and Australian Company No. 153 200 278, holds an Australian Financial Services License (AFSL 411458) issued by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission. Business Address: Level 30, Collins Place, 35 Collins Street, Melbourne, Vic 3000

The name “Aviva Investors” as used in this presentation refers to the global organization of affiliated asset management businesses operating under the Aviva Investors name. Each Aviva investors’ affiliate is a subsidiary of Aviva plc, a publicly- traded multi-national financial services company headquartered in the United Kingdom. Aviva Investors Canada, Inc. (“AIC”) is located in Toronto and is registered with the Ontario Securities Commission (“OSC”) as a Portfolio Manager, an Exempt Market Dealer, and a Commodity Trading Manager. Aviva Investors Americas LLC is a federally registered investment advisor with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Aviva Investors Americas is also a commodity trading advisor (“CTA”) and commodity pool operator (“CPO”) registered with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”), and is a member of the National Futures Association (“NFA”). AIA’s Form ADV Part 2A, which provides background information about the firm and its business practices, is available upon written request to: Compliance Department, 225 West Wacker Drive, Suite 2250, Chicago, IL 60606

RA18/1238/20112019

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